Tracing the seams of Partition

Published November 19, 2011
A view from the entrance of the gallery at the Indus Valley school.
A view from the entrance of the gallery at the Indus Valley school.
The first wall of the exhibition's time-line. Starting from 1947, it displays pictures, text, audio and videos from various important and interesting events in Pakistan's history.
The first wall of the exhibition's time-line. Starting from 1947, it displays pictures, text, audio and videos from various important and interesting events in Pakistan's history.
An archival image shows a worker sewing Pakistan's flag at the time of partition.
An archival image shows a worker sewing Pakistan's flag at the time of partition.
An audiovisual presentation about the Bengali Language Movement, set in the time-line at 1954.
An audiovisual presentation about the Bengali Language Movement, set in the time-line at 1954.
Memorabilia dating back from 1950 belonging to Masooda Khatoon. Among them, old photos, a list of wedding gifts, and a "pandaan" (a container for holding and making "Paan" or betel quid).
Memorabilia dating back from 1950 belonging to Masooda Khatoon. Among them, old photos, a list of wedding gifts, and a "pandaan" (a container for holding and making "Paan" or betel quid).
A poster for a PIA aircraft, and other images from 1955 adorn this section of the time-line.
A poster for a PIA aircraft, and other images from 1955 adorn this section of the time-line.
Text accompanies an audio recording of Ahmed Rushdi singing one of his famous film songs.
Text accompanies an audio recording of Ahmed Rushdi singing one of his famous film songs.
Photographs and advertisements from 1956, including FE Chaudry's photographs documenting an Ice Factory.
Photographs and advertisements from 1956, including FE Chaudry's photographs documenting an Ice Factory.
A Time magazine cover is displayed from an issue dated December 20, 1971.
A Time magazine cover is displayed from an issue dated December 20, 1971.
Multiple booths installed in the gallery allow visitors to watch presentations, and hear the first-hand experiences of those experienced history as it unfolded.
Multiple booths installed in the gallery allow visitors to watch presentations, and hear the first-hand experiences of those experienced history as it unfolded.
A poster and photographs from 1962. The portraits show visitors from the "Festival of Pakistan Fabrics" organised by the "Friends of APWA" (All Pakistan Women's Organisation).
A poster and photographs from 1962. The portraits show visitors from the "Festival of Pakistan Fabrics" organised by the "Friends of APWA" (All Pakistan Women's Organisation).
One of the walls in the exhibition displays wires from the 1971 war. This particular message - marked "TOPSEC", is from the governor of East Pakistan and details the "desperate" state of military affairs to the HQ.
One of the walls in the exhibition displays wires from the 1971 war. This particular message - marked "TOPSEC", is from the governor of East Pakistan and details the "desperate" state of military affairs to the HQ.
An internal military wire from the 1971 war, details the grim situation - in what was then East Pakistan - to the military HQ.
An internal military wire from the 1971 war, details the grim situation - in what was then East Pakistan - to the military HQ.
A cartoon from August 15, 1947, titled "A happy ending indeed!" celebrates the departure of the British from the Subcontinent.
A cartoon from August 15, 1947, titled "A happy ending indeed!" celebrates the departure of the British from the Subcontinent.

To commemorate  the 40th anniversary of the 1971 war, The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) and Vasl Artists' Collective  have organised a multimedia exhibition titled "State of Being So Divided".

The exhibition traces the history of the subcontinent (specially Pakistan and Bangladesh) from 1947 to 1971. It is arranged in the form of a time-line, so that visitors can walk past the various decades, while viewing pictures, text and videos that are displayed in chronological order.

According to the Citizen's Archive, the purpose of this exhibition is to "tell stories depicting both difficult and triumphant times" and "remind us of what we have lost, gained and how we have evolved."

The exhibit opened on November 2 and will run till November 24, and can be visited between 10am and 7pm at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture.  -Photos by Nadir Siddiqui/Dawn.com

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